They netted 13 goals in the process and negotiated tough away trips to Reading, Wolves, Norwich and Ipswich.

Lee Johnson of Bristol City is presented with the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month Award for September

“It was a very difficult September on paper but the boys have worked fantastically well," said Johnson, who saw off competition from Steve Bruce (Aston Villa), Daniel Farke (Norwich) and Alex Neil (Preston).

"I accept the award on behalf of everybody, staff and players and, actually, fans as well because they’ve been part of our good form in September.

“We have a belief and work towards a process that in the end, we want the results, that’s the tip of the iceberg, the three points on a Saturday, and I’ve been delighted by the application of the players and the quality.

“We’ve scored goals and had numbers in the box, had a lot of energy to our play and given the fact there’s been tough games in there it’s been a great September for us.”

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Former Derby boss George Burley, who chairs the judging panel, said: “Lee has managed to balance sturdy resilience with attacking flair, culminating in a side who finished the month with the best goal difference in the Sky Bet Championship.

“Four wins and two draws against in-form sides have lifted Bristol City towards the upper reaches of the table with their hard to beat mentality.

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“With an unbeaten run of 11 matches, Lee will be looking to build on their fine start to the season in the coming months.”

Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman added: “In a division where only five teams have not plied their trade in the Premier League, as one of those five, Bristol City may be considered by some to be one of the ‘smaller’ clubs in the division.

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“Their spend has not been huge compared to most, so to see them flying high is really refreshing.

“The fact that they’re up there is a testament to the brilliant work Lee Johnson has done off the pitch and the belief his players have in him. It’s also a reward for the patience the owner displayed when things weren’t going as well for a spell last season."

Flint - linked with a move to Derby over the summer - took the player of the month honours ahead of Sam Johnstone (Aston Villa), Diogo Jota (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and James Maddison (Norwich City).

Aden Flint of Bristol City is presented with the Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month Award for September

Transfer bids and speculation delayed his first start of the season but he made up for lost time at both ends in September.

Commanding at the heart of the City defence, his three goals earned points against Reading, Wolves and Bolton.

“It’s been a good month for me but it’s been a great month for the club in general," said the Derbyshire-born centre-back.

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Craig Ramage

"With everything going on in the summer, ‘what’s happening?’, ‘where are you going to go?’, ‘am I staying?’ and not being in the team and such, I just got my head down, worked and tried not to let it bother me.

“The determination from missing the first month’s football meant that when I got my chance I was ready to take it.

“Personally I like to keep my own form up to make sure I can stay in the team because I’ve got some great competition now across the back line.”

Johnson added: “To come back with the attitude he has following the closure of the transfer window and all the speculation that surrounded him has been good.

“We’ve maintained a strong relationship and that will continue moving forward. He’s been exceptional, along with the rest of the defence and the keeper, but somebody’s got to win Player of the Month and we’re delighted it’s Aden.”